A Xero Projects timer that lives in your menu bar.
Xero's timer lives in a browser tab or the mobile app. Punchcard puts it in your Mac menu bar and still writes every entry into Xero Projects.
Xero Projects has a start-stop timer in the Xero Projects mobile app and in the browser, plus manual entry by duration or start and finish time. There's no desktop or menu bar app from Xero. Entries are created directly in Xero Projects.
Price: Included with Xero plans that have Projects (Ultimate in AU, NZ and the UK)
A Mac menu bar timer. Clock on with one click or a global shortcut, review your entries, then push them to Xero Projects as time entries on their tasks. Every entry is saved on your Mac first, and failed pushes retry automatically. No server in the middle.
| FEATURE | PUNCHCARD | XERO TIMER |
|---|---|---|
| Creates time entries in Xero ProjectsOn the project's tasks, ready to invoice. | Yes | Yes |
| Xero stays the only record of your timeNo second system to reconcile. | Yes | Yes |
| Timer in the Mac menu bar | YesPlus a global shortcut | NoBrowser and mobile app |
| Entries saved locally before any network callNothing lost to a dropped connection or a switched task. | Yes | NoUsers report lost time when switching |
| Uses only Xero's official API | Yes | Native |
| Invoicing | In XeroFrom Xero Projects | Yes |
| Cost | LicenceFounding price at launch | In planUltimate tier |
When Xero timer is the right call
If you mostly log time on your phone, or only enter a few blocks a day by hand, Xero's own timer is free with your plan and needs nothing else installed. The mobile app can also suggest entries when you're at a saved location.
Where Punchcard fits
On a Mac, the timer means keeping a Xero tab open and signed in. In Xero's own product ideas forum, users ask for a desktop timer, say the website logs them out, and report that switching tasks loses the time already running. Xero has marked the desktop timer request as "Gaining support", so it isn't on the way yet.
Questions, answered.
Does Xero have a desktop timer for Mac?
No. Xero Projects has a timer in the browser and in the Xero Projects mobile app, but no desktop or menu bar app. A request for one was marked "Gaining support" on Xero's product ideas forum in October 2026.
Does Punchcard replace Xero Projects?
No. Punchcard is only a faster way to fill it. Every entry is pushed to Xero Projects as a time entry on its task, and you keep quoting, invoicing and reporting in Xero.
Can I still use Xero's mobile timer alongside Punchcard?
Yes. Both write to the same Xero Projects, so entries from your phone and from Punchcard end up in one place.
Also comparing Punchcard vs Toggl Track or Punchcard vs Harvest? Or see every option side by side.
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